Juvenile Probation Officer

Description

To provide efficient and effective casework services for those children who are diverted or who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court of McLennan County.

• Keeps timely chronological documentation of cases
• Receives offense referrals and performs preliminary investigations
• Prepares social histories
• Dispositions case records
• Maintains timely personal or personnel paperwork to include monthly reports, time sheets, and case tracking
• Complies with legal requirements to ensure juveniles receive full benefits of due process
• Maintains contact with parents, attorneys, law enforcement and community agencies
• Coordinates / participates in all aspects of court hearings
• Makes appropriate referrals to other agencies
• Seeks / secures alternative placement for juveniles
• Transports at risk clients
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

• Bachelors degree preferably in a behavioral science or criminal justice
• Must be certified juvenile probation officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department

• 1 year of experience in a social service agency (1-year graduate study in criminology, law, social work, psychology or sociology may be substituted for the one-year social service agency experience requirement)
• Current and Valid Texas drivers license and safe driving record
• Must be a certified probation officer when hired or able to obtain certification and have knowledge of the Texas Juvenile Justice Code
• Must also have an ability to work with hostile at risk clients and their parents
• Supervises clients on probation, sets goals with clients and helps clients reach their goals through supervision case management

• (BILINGUAL) Fluent Spanish Speaking with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Contact with at risk clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and the general public.
• Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
• Climate controlled facility

• The individual must be able to physically restrain residents exhibiting disruptive behavior in a safe manner in accordance with the behavior management training
• Repetitive hand motions
• Frequent sitting, some standing, occasional walking and light lifting
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen

Regular schedule is Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position may be required to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility. Assigned on-call duty on rotating basis.

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor-vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.